Water-Driven Solid Electrolyte Interphase Governs Continuous-Flow Ammonia Electrosynthesis,
2026
State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, P. R. China
Water-Driven Solid Electrolyte Interphase Governs Continuous-Flow Ammonia Electrosynthesis, Peng-Bo Liu, Sheng-Liang Zhai, Ji Huang, Zhong-Shuo Zhang, Jie Zeng, Shao-Feng Li
Journal of Electrochemistry
Flow-cell architectures have emerged as a powerful platform for continuous and stable lithium-mediated nitrogen reduction (Li-NRR), enabling ambient-condition electrochemical ammonia synthesis and offering a promising alternative to Haber-Bosch processes. However, Li-NRR is exceptionally sensitive to trace water, and even minor variations in water content can profoundly alter interfacial chemistry. Here, we systematically investigate how initial water concentration affects Li-NRR performance in a continuous-flow cell. Excess water drives the formation of a thick solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer, which may impede nitrogen access to metallic lithium and hinder lithium-ion transport. As a result, the ammonia Faradaic efficiency collapses from ~61% to …
Insertion Of Noble Metal Free Cathodic Catalyst Layer With Fe-N-C Catalyst For Boosted Performance Of Pemfc,
2026
Nano Science and Technology Institute, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China; Division of Advanced Nanomaterials, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China
Insertion Of Noble Metal Free Cathodic Catalyst Layer With Fe-N-C Catalyst For Boosted Performance Of Pemfc, Shi Zhou, Muhammad Tariq, Asif Nadeem Tabish, Muhammad Salman, Fan-Di Ning, Muhammad Rayyan Tayyab, Ran-Ran Peng, Meng-Geng Hao, Wen-Mu Li, Xiao-Chun Zhou
Journal of Electrochemistry
Economical Fe-N-C catalysts are considered as promising alternatives to platinum group metal catalysts for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Despite exhibiting robust activity on rotating disk electrodes, their performance within membrane electrode assemblies often experiences limitations, such as decreased O2 diffusion, high H2O2 formation, low proton conduction, and a lower electron transfer number. In this study, key factors, including proton transport, electron conduction, and gas diffusion within air-breathing PEMFCs, have been investigated by adjusting cathode catalyst layer (CCL) compositions. From the experimental results, the optimal peak power density was obtained when the loading of Fe-N-C …
Design And Fabrication Of A Composite Torpedo Baseball Bat,
2026
Winona State University
Design And Fabrication Of A Composite Torpedo Baseball Bat, Peyton A. Lee, Carter Mathison, Jaden J. Schwantz, Noah Misukanis, Cole V. Stalberger
Research & Creative Achievement Day
Observing current trends in Major League Baseball, there has been increasing interest in torpedo-style wood bats due to their unique weight distribution. Unlike traditional bat geometries, the torpedo design shifts more weight toward the hands, improving balance and allowing for greater control throughout the swing. This project applies the same concept using composite materials so that high school and college players can also have access to this design innovation. The proposed bat is constructed from carbon fiber reinforced polymer with an epoxy resin to create a lightweight and durable structure. The design aims to maintain the performance benefits of the …
Comparison Of Pfas-Free Hydrophobic Layer-By-Layer Coatings For Cellulosic Textiles: Evaluation Of Water Repellency, Mechanical Durability, And The Effects Of Fabric Construction,
2026
Thomas Jefferson University
Comparison Of Pfas-Free Hydrophobic Layer-By-Layer Coatings For Cellulosic Textiles: Evaluation Of Water Repellency, Mechanical Durability, And The Effects Of Fabric Construction, Elvira Isenzhulova, Radika Bhaskar
School of Design and Engineering Papers
Environmentally safe water-repellent coatings are urgently needed for the textile industry as an alternative to PFAS-based finishes. Challenges include development of coatings that are effective in imparting both water repellency and mechanical durability, with relatively simple synthesis to promote industry use. This study compared the performance and abrasion resistance of two different bio-based, layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembled hydrophobic coatings for cellulosic fibers. Textile samples were coated with bilayers composed of negatively charged plant-derived carnauba wax and a positively charged component: either poly-L-lysine or lower-cost zinc oxide nanoparticles. To investigate the influence of surface microroughness on coating adhesion and performance, two different …
Analysis Of Factors Enabling Organisational Governance Maturity For The Technical Audit Function In Tanzania,
2026
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O Box 35131, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Analysis Of Factors Enabling Organisational Governance Maturity For The Technical Audit Function In Tanzania, George C. Haule
Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)
The study aimed to identify key factors contributing to Organisational Governance Maturity (OGM) of the Technical Audit Functions (TAF) in Tanzania. The study employed a sequential approach as a research design. The first step was to collect and analyse literature studies to identify factors enabling the OGM of the TAF. Next, a questionnaire was administered to one hundred twenty-eight (128) respondents from seven (7) TAFs to rank the key enabling factors that were identified from the literature that influence the OGM of TAF in Tanzania. Using data from a questionnaire administered to 128 respondents, a two-step strategy was employed to …
Complex Systems Mapping Of Fiscal Growth Dynamics At Strategic Maritime Chokepoints Using Time-Series Slopes,
2026
Binghamton University
Complex Systems Mapping Of Fiscal Growth Dynamics At Strategic Maritime Chokepoints Using Time-Series Slopes, Rahul Balamurugan, Preethi Nanjundan, Avichal Sharma
Northeast Journal of Complex Systems (NEJCS)
This study examines how maritime and trading states allocate public resources between defence, health, and economic growth around three strategic chokepoints the Strait of Malacca, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Suez Canal. The analysis extends the classic “guns versus butter” framing by treating defence and health spending as co-evolving components of an interconnected fiscal-growth system. Using World Development Indicators data (1999-2024), trend slopes are estimated for military spending (% of GDP), healthcare spending (% of GDP), and GDP growth (annual %). Two derived indicators are computed, a defence-to-health slope ratio (military slope/health slope) and a fiscal-balance proxy (health slope …
Hybrid Thermosetting Polymer Nanocomposite Thin Films With Optimized Thermal Conductivity And Mechanical Reinforcement,
2026
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Hybrid Thermosetting Polymer Nanocomposite Thin Films With Optimized Thermal Conductivity And Mechanical Reinforcement, Vinicius Alvarenga, Camila M. Maroneze, Matheus S. Dias, Bruno Milton Oliveira Silva, Jaime Taha-Tijerina, Christiano J. S. De Matos, Hélio Ribeiro
Informatics and Engineering Systems Faculty Publications
Epoxy-based thin films reinforced with graphene oxide (GO), hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), and their hybrid combination (GO/h-BN) at low filler contents (< 1 wt%) were developed to advance thermosetting nanocomposites for high-performance thermal interface materials (TIMs). The incorporation of these 2D nanostructures led to marked and simultaneous increases in both the storage modulus (E′) and the glass transition temperature (Tg) for the individual and hybrid systems. These enhancements indicated strong interfacial interactions between the nanofillers and the epoxy matrix, promoting a more efficient crosslinking density and reinforcing the overall rigidity of the polymer network. Uniform thin films, processed under controlled conditions, exhibited efficient phonon transport without compromising their dielectric integrity, as demonstrated by steady-state and 3-ω thermal analyses. The incorporation of 0.5 wt% GO/h-BN resulted in up to …
Axial Sulfur-Coordination Engineering Boosting Fe–N–C Catalysts For High-Performance Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells,
2026
State Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China; School of Chemistry and Materials Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
Axial Sulfur-Coordination Engineering Boosting Fe–N–C Catalysts For High-Performance Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells, Lin Lin, Xiu-Xuan Hou, Zhe-Chen Fan, Yi-Xuan Yin, Wei-Yi Zhao, Kai Wei, Yu-Die Zhou, Li-Na Hou, Ying Wang, Hao Wan, Jun-Jie Ge
Journal of Electrochemistry
Fe-N-C catalysts have long suffered from kinetically sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) due to excessive adsorption strength toward oxygen intermediates and low site utilization. Heteroatom doping effectively accelerates ORR reaction kinetics through electronic structure modulation of metal sites for optimal intermediate adsorption, while chemical vapor deposition (CVD) enhances the turnover frequency (TOF) of active sites. Herein, we developed an FeSNC catalyst featuring abundant FeS1N4 sites via a dual-precursor CVD strategy. Experimental and theoretical analyses revealed that S incorporation disrupts the symmetric coordination of active sites, which optimizes OH* adsorption energies from 0.212 eV to 1.194 eV. Moreover, …
Deciphering The Role Of Binder Reaction Exothermicity In Thermal Runaway Of Lithium-Ion Cells,
2026
State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and Low-carbon Technology, School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
Deciphering The Role Of Binder Reaction Exothermicity In Thermal Runaway Of Lithium-Ion Cells, Wen Wen, Jing-Hong Zhou, Hao-Tian Lu, Xing-Gui Zhou
Journal of Electrochemistry
Thermal safety associated with lithium-ion cells as power sources remains a critical industry concern. A comprehensive understanding of how internal exothermic side reactions contribute to temperature rise is fundamental for accurately analyzing thermal runaway processes and predicting the thermal safety of lithium-ion cells. While various side-reactions, such as decomposition of solid electrolyte interphase layer, reaction between anode materials and electrolyte, reaction between cathode materials and electrolyte, and electrolyte decomposition, have been identified as heat generation sources in previous studies, the quantification of these reactions remains insufficiently standardized. Particularly, the impact of heat generation from binder decomposition (most commonly polyvinylidene difluoride) …
Ai-Scm Cmm: A Capability Maturity Model For Artificial Intelligence Integration In Supply Chain Management,
2026
Dakota State University
Ai-Scm Cmm: A Capability Maturity Model For Artificial Intelligence Integration In Supply Chain Management, Lordt Becklines, Omar F. El-Gayar, Patti Brooks, Insu Park
Annual Research Symposium
Artificial intelligence is increasingly deployed in supply chain management, yet many organizations struggle to align adoption efforts with process readiness, data quality, governance, and workforce capabilities, and they still lack validated supply chain specific roadmap for assessing readiness, sequencing investments, and reducing implementation risk. This study develops and evaluates a Capability Maturity Model for Artificial Intelligence Integration in Supply Chain Management to address that gap. Using a design science research approach, the study synthesizes prior literature and practitioner knowledge to define maturity dimensions, capability indicators, and staged progression levels for AI integration in supply chain contexts. The artifact and assessment …
Mechanical, Thermal And Fire Behaviour Of Hemp-Based Composites With Different Binders For Sustainable Building Applications,
2026
Eindhoven University of Technology, Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven 5612 AE, the Netherlands
Mechanical, Thermal And Fire Behaviour Of Hemp-Based Composites With Different Binders For Sustainable Building Applications, Anilcan Aygun, Fahri Birinci, Selim Aytac, Ali Kemal Ayan, Hasan Alp Sahin, Ibrahim Isildak
Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies
This study investigates the physical, mechanical and thermal properties of hemp-based composites produced with traditional binders such as lime, cement, gypsum, clay, and water-based glue. Hemp fractions of different sizes (splinter, shiv, fiber and powder) were combined with these binders to manufacture cube and plate specimens, which were tested for physical, mechanical, thermal, and temperature resistance properties. The study aims to compare the mechanical, physical, thermal, and fire behaviour of these composites to assess their suitability for sustainable construction applications. The hemp-based composites were tested for unit weight, water absorption, compressive strength and thermal conductivity. Most specimens are lightweight (<1000 kg/m3), and exhibit good thermal insulation performance and high compressive deformability, making them suitable for seismic-prone regions. The glue-based composite had the lowest unit weight, measured as 330 kg/m3. Thermal conductivity ranged from 0.051 to 0.243 W/m· K, with several mixtures performing better than natural pumice. While cement-based composites showed the highest compressive strength, ranging from 5.5 to 24.8 kg/cm2, natural hydraulic lime is the lowest. Water absorption was high, and moisture release occurred slowly across all hemp fractions. Combustion tests indicated that hemp-based materials have moderate temperature resistance, with charring temperatures ranging from 238–265°C for raw hemp and 300–385°C when mixed with binders. Overall, hemp-based composites are lightweight, eco-friendly, and suitable for non-load-bearing construction and insulation applications. However, improvements in moisture resistance and long-term durability are necessary to enhance their practical applicability.
Sustainable Cow Dung Bricks: An Innovative Approach To Eco-Friendly Masonry With Enhanced Thermal And Mechanical Performance,
2026
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Navodaya Institute of Technology, Raichur, 584103, Karnataka, India
Sustainable Cow Dung Bricks: An Innovative Approach To Eco-Friendly Masonry With Enhanced Thermal And Mechanical Performance, Nagesh Sugandhi, Sachin Patil, Satish Reddy, Ashwini G, Santosh Kumar
Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies
This study explores the development, characterization, and performance of sustainable cow dung bricks using locally sourced organic (cow dung) and mineral (clay, quartz sand, feldspar, lime) constituents for non-load-bearing masonry in India. Three blends with varying cow dung content (70%, 75%, 80%) were mixed, molded, air dried, and cured without kiln firing to reduce environmental impact. The bricks' mechanical properties—compressive strength, water absorption, bulk density, flexural strength, shore hardness, and modulus of elasticity—were systematically evaluated with complete statistical documentation (n = 6 replicates per formulation per test age). Microstructural features were investigated using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-Ray …
Sustainable Cement-Blast Furnace Slag Mortar,
2026
IPS Academy, Institute of Engineering & Science (A UGC Autonomous Institute), Civil Engineering Department, Rajendra Nagar, A.B. Road, Indore, 452012, Madhya Pradesh, India
Sustainable Cement-Blast Furnace Slag Mortar, Richa Jain, Harshit Jain, Ashish Nim
Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies
New building materials that required and produced less energy are need of today's infrastructure development. The ability of such building materials to promote sustainable development always puts its demand in active mode. With huge consumption of naturally occurring materials in building construction, the problem related to environment degradation is now common for world. Along with this, world is also facing the problem of reuse, recover and scientifically approved disposal of non-biodegradable wastes. Blast furnace slag (BFS) is one of those steel industry wastes that are abundantly available and their disposal arises as prime challenge for industries. This research work makes …
Identification Of Thruster Faults In Underwater Vehicles By Using Custom Encodings In Spiking Neural Networks,
2026
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
Identification Of Thruster Faults In Underwater Vehicles By Using Custom Encodings In Spiking Neural Networks, Donovan Gegg
LSU Master's Theses
Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) are untethered robotic platforms used for tasks such as seafloor mapping, infrastructure inspection, and environmental monitoring. Recent technological advances have produced smaller, more affordable platforms, broadening access to research teams and small companies alike. This miniaturization comes at the cost of them handling drawbacks associated with a more compact machine such as reduced battery capacity as well as limited processing and sensing capabilities. These constraints make small-sized marine vehicle’s reliability critical as they can cause malfunctions, making the loss of a vehicle more likely. Actuator faults are particularly consequential as unintended and unstable control in an …
Impact Of Glass Powder As A Sustainable Material On The Workability, Strength, And Durability Properties In High-Performance Basalt Fiber Reinforced Concrete: A Statistical Analysis,
2026
Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Bisha University, P.O. Box 67711, Bisha 61361, Saudi Arabia
Impact Of Glass Powder As A Sustainable Material On The Workability, Strength, And Durability Properties In High-Performance Basalt Fiber Reinforced Concrete: A Statistical Analysis, Ahmed Fathi Mohamed Salih
Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies
The global construction sector is increasingly challenged to balance environmental sustainability with the growing demand for durable, high-performance materials. As cement production continues to be a major source of anthropogenic CO2 emissions, the incorporation of alternative, low-impact binders has become a key strategy for reducing the environmental footprint of concrete. In this context, glass powder (GP)—a finely ground industrial by-product rich in amorphous silica—has emerged as a promising partial replacement for Portland cement. Its pozzolanic reactivity contributes to improved hydration and matrix densification, while its use also supports circular economy principles by diverting waste glass from landfills. At the same …
Creation Of The 2-Way Cross Laminated Timber Subroutine For Computing Dynamic Analysis Parameters,
2026
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Creation Of The 2-Way Cross Laminated Timber Subroutine For Computing Dynamic Analysis Parameters, Joseph Freitas
Architectural Engineering
This document will describe the inputs, methodology, and outputs for the CLT 2-way subroutine for cases with and without openings recently added to a proprietary structural analysis software. For the sake of simplicity, most of the discussion will be focused on cases without openings from here on out, as the verification process for a novel method for cases with openings is still in progress. The CLT 2-way module calculates multi-point resistance functions for panels without openings by automating the procedure outlined in an industry-standard structural design manual. The subroutine also finds the appropriate dynamic response factors, kinetic load multipliers, mass, …
Current Research Progress On Electrode Materials For All-Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries,
2026
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
Current Research Progress On Electrode Materials For All-Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries, Wen-Qi Wang, Jie Jin, Li-Min Wang, Xin-Yue Liu, Tao Cheng, Yong Hou, Han Xue, Zhi-Yu Wang, Bo Liu, Jia-Bao Liu, Xu-Bin Lu
Journal of Electrochemistry
The redox active species in all-vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) reside in the electrolyte, while the heterogeneous reactions occur on the electrode surface; the electrode is therefore the decisive platform for dynamic adsorption, electron transfer, and ion conversion, especially for the VO2+/VO2+ and V2+/V3+ couples. One of the major challenges for VRFBs is the slow charge transfer in VO2+/VO2+ and V2+/V3+ reactions, mainly caused by poor catalytic performance of electrodes and weak adhesion of catalysts to electrodes. This review focuses on the key challenges and recent …
Control Of Pore Nucleation And Rearrangement Kinetics During Aluminium Anodizing In Phosphoric Acid Electrolyte,
2026
Department of Materials Science, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 19991 Moscow, Russia
Control Of Pore Nucleation And Rearrangement Kinetics During Aluminium Anodizing In Phosphoric Acid Electrolyte, Ilya V. Roslyakov, Nikita A. Shirin, Dmitry M. Tsymbarenko, Sergei N. Pavlov, Sergey E. Kushnir, Nikolay V. Lyskov, Kirill S. Napolskii
Journal of Electrochemistry
Anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) porous films with an interpore distance of several hundred nanometers are of great interest due to their unique interaction with visible and near-infrared light, and high thermal stability up to 1500 °C. These porous films are prepared by aluminium anodizing at high voltages in weak acids, leading to a slow kinetics of initial stages of porous structure formation. Here, we propose an approach to accelerate AAO formation in electrolytes based on weak acids such as phosphoric acid. Aluminium foils, pre-patterned using first anodizing under different conditions and subsequent selective dissolution of a sacrificial AAO layer, were …
Triphenylmethane-Derived Levelers For High-Speed Redistribution Layer Copper Electroplating Of Tailored Surface Morphologies,
2026
Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Electronic Materials, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China; Nano Science and Technology Institute, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou, 215123, China
Triphenylmethane-Derived Levelers For High-Speed Redistribution Layer Copper Electroplating Of Tailored Surface Morphologies, Zi-Hao Song, Wei-Bin Wang, Xiao-Hui Liu, Xiao-Min Han, Yi Zhou, Rui Huang, Yan-Xia Jiang, Zhe Li, Xiao-Wei Liu, Mei-Ling Xiao, Hong-Gang Liao, Wei-Lin Xu, Rong Sun
Journal of Electrochemistry
Redistribution Layer (RDL), composed of layered dielectrics and electroplated copper materials, is a basic structure to rearrange numerous I/O pads on the chip surface in wafer-level advanced packaging. As the key chemicals in electrolyte baths, electroplating additives have undergone continuous development to meet the industrial needs for high-speed and fine-line/fine-pitch applications. Meanwhile, the intricate relationships between additive chemical structures and electroplated copper properties are yet to be well understood. In this work, a pair of triphenylmethane-based dye molecules, i.e., gentian violet (GV) and methyl green (MG), was comparatively investigated as levelers for high-speed RDL copper electroplating. Compared to GV, significantly …
Balancing Carbon Emissions In Façade Of Residential Buildings Through Bim-Lca: A Comparative Analysis Of Insulation Materials,
2026
Department of Civil, Chemical, and Environmental Engineering (DICCA), University of Genova, Via Montallegro 1, Genova 16145, Italy
Balancing Carbon Emissions In Façade Of Residential Buildings Through Bim-Lca: A Comparative Analysis Of Insulation Materials, Mehran Alipour
Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies
Thermal insulation materials play a significant role in balancing buildings' total carbon emissions. Balancing involves applying the optimized amount of insulation materials to avoid excessive emissions in either the operational or embodied phases. Due to the wide range of insulation materials and variations of their specifications, it is vital to analyse them individually. The focus of this study is to optimize the amount of insulation materials in the facades of Residential Buildings (RB) to balance the amount of Operational Carbon Emissions (OCE) and Embodied Carbon Emissions (ECE) by applying the Building Information Modelling-Life Cycle Assessment (BIM-LCA) integration method. The Life …
